Why it's OK to have a little fun at work (and why it's actually good for you)
Earlier this year, I took a one-night work trip/staycation with a friend to a local hotel to develop a three and five-year strategic plan for Golden Hour Consulting. We spent about 30% of our time on planning and the remaining 70% eating mini eggs, cry-laughing, and using the hot tub and pool.
Unintentionally and unsurprisingly, our most creative ideas came to us in the quiet moments between the laughter and the mini eggs. In the moments where work meets joy and connection, the real magic happens.
That trip was such a great example of something I’ve known for a long time - work doesn’t need to be overly structured and onerous to be productive and effective.
And my personal experiences of the benefits of fun are backed up by research. This article published by Forbes shares a study that demonstrated a 12 - 20% increase in productivity after giving staff 10 minutes to watch comedy videos and eat snacks. I really do have the cry-laughing and mini-eggs to thank for those creative bursts.
What makes work overly structured and onerous? Examples include:
Hour-long brainstorming or consensus meetings with too many participants that end with no clear outcomes or action items
Multi-page reports, proposals, and strategies that take ages to read and write
Unrealistic deadlines that are never met and keep everyone in a state of panic
Jam-packed schedules that don’t leave time for breaks or focused work
If you look at this list and think, ‘Yes - these aren’t fun activities, but they are necessary to get the work done,’ then you are confusing busy for productive.
So, how can you begin to remove overly cumbersome processes:
Only schedule meetings if absolutely necessary. This site, aptly named, Should It Be a Meeting? will help you determine if you need to meet or if you can use a different tactic to meet your objective.
When you do meet, allow 5 minutes at the beginning or the end to connect about life outside of work. What is everyone watching? Do your colleagues have upcoming trips? What are their favourite restaurants? Get to know each other in a real way.
Ditch your multi-page documents in favour of a one-pager whenever possible. They take less time to write and read, offer clear and concise communication, distill priorities and ensure plain language writing.
Block off time in your calendar for breaks, and actually take them. My favourite breaks include a walk to a bakery with a friend to share a sweet treat mid-day.
If you're having trouble implementing these changes in your own workplace, don't hesitate to reach out to Golden Hour Consulting for support. We can help you make lasting changes to your workplace culture and bring some fun and relaxation back into your workday. And don't worry, we'll bring the mini eggs!
With gratitude,
